Thaksin's landslide victory in 2001's election followed a lavish campaign and proven vote-buying. In a secretly filmed conversation, we hear how villagers were offered money in exchange for their ID cards and signing up for Thaksin’s new party. Turn up for a political rally and get a free T-shirt - and a 100 Baht note thrown in as a sweetener… Enough to feed an average family for a few days. For months the richest man in Thailand waged a lavish campaign featuring fireworks and laser shows. But Thaksin’s pyrotechnic pitch for the Prime Ministership could blow up in his face. He is also accused of breaching Thailand’s new constitution by stashing millions of dollars behind the names of his household staff. “If found guilty he will be banned from any political position for five years”, says a Counter Corruption official. We reveal a system of ingrained corruption where the media and the police are bought off. But with the stock market rallying, could Thaksin’s financial acumen assure a turnaround in the Thai economy?

Produced by ABC Australia